[BB73]

ozone

The-Ozone Note and Quotebook
By John Porentas

Change for a Nickel: OSU's nickel defense last season was rather interesting. When the Buckeyes wanted to go to the nickel they didn't really bring in a nickel back. Instead, they brought in a corner (Chimdi Chekwa), regular corner Malcolm Jenkins went to Anderson Russell's safety position, and Russell moved to the Star (nickel back) position. It appears that whole scenario is going to change this spring.

"Last year after the season we talked about we would be better off as a secondary with everybody playing just one position. When we go in we're just going to bring somebody in to play nickel. I think it's going to be good for us in the long run," said Russell.

This spring the Buckeyes are looking for nickel candidates. The criteria is really pretty simple.

"We're just working on finding our best five," said safeties coach Paul Haynes. "In the spring you're trying to find out who are those guys. The key for us is to try to put them in the right spots."

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